Brewing material holder

ABSTRACT

A container includes a receptacle and a cover. The receptacle includes a base and a sidewall. The base has an interior surface and a passageway in an interior area of the base. The passageway provides fluid communication from an interior of the receptacle to an exterior of the receptacle. The sidewall extends upward from the interior surface of the base. The cover is configured to sealingly engage with a top edge of the sidewall, and includes a cover opening. The container is configured to accept input fluid through the cover opening and to provide a corresponding outflow of fluid through the passageway. The passageway allows the outflow fluid to flow from the container while accommodating an outflow needle of a beverage brewer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/855,776,which was filed on Dec. 27, 2017; which in turn was acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/790,398,which was filed on Oct. 23, 2017, and a continuation-in-part of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 12/960,496, which was filed on Dec. 4, 2010;which in turn is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 11/777,831, which was filed on Jul. 13, 2007, the disclosures ofwhich are incorporated herein in their entireties. This is also relatedto U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/276,919, which was filed on May13, 2014 and issued on Sep. 12, 2017 as U.S. Pat. No. 9,756,974; U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/436,667, which was filed on Mar. 30, 2012and issued on Mar. 1, 2016 as U.S. Pat. No. 9,271,597; U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/436,690, which was filed on Mar. 30, 2012 andissued on Jan. 12, 2016 as U.S. Pat. No. 9,232,871; and U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/546,875, which was filed on Jul. 11, 2012 andissued on Jan. 12, 2016 as U.S. Pat. No. 9,232,872, the disclosures ofwhich are incorporated herein in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to brewing coffee and in particular to asingle serving brewing material holder.

Coffee is generally prepared in a coffee maker by measuring an amount ofground coffee into a coffee filter, closing a lid over the groundcoffee, and providing a stream of hot water through the loosely packedground coffee. Unfortunately, water passes freely through the looselypacked ground coffee and does not obtain the full flavor which mightotherwise be obtained.

Pod adapter systems overcome this problem using pre-packaged coffee inclosed filter paper commonly called a pod, and inserting the closed podinto a pod holder including a tamping spring and bottom tamper fortamping the pod between the bottom tamper and a coffee holder lid. Whilethe pod adapters work well for coffee pods, they do not always hold thepod (or packer) firmly against the cover of the pod adapter and in someinstances a needle for injecting water into the pod fails to puncturethe pod.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the above and other needs by providing acontainer, which includes a receptacle and a cover. The receptacleincludes a base and a sidewall. The base has an interior surface and apassageway in an interior area of the base. The passageway providesfluid communication from an interior of the receptacle to an exterior ofthe receptacle. The sidewall extends upward from the interior surface ofthe base. The cover is configured to sealingly engage with a top edge ofthe sidewall, and includes a cover opening. The container is configuredto accept input fluid through the cover opening and to provide acorresponding outflow of fluid through the passageway. The passagewayallows the outflow fluid to flow from the container while accommodatingan outflow needle of a beverage brewer.

The receptacle can also include an extension extending from an exteriorsurface of the base such that at least a portion of the base isseparated a fixed distance from a support surface when a distal end ofthe extension is in contact with the support surface. The fixed distancecan be large enough to prevent the outflow needle from contacting theportion of the base. The extension can extend from a periphery of thebase, such as from an interior portion of the base.

The container can also include a filter that is configured to be heldwithin the receptacle.

The container can be constructed of a material that is reusable afterbeing wet.

The passageway can be at least partially covered by a screen material.

At least one portion of the sidewall can include a sidewall opening thatis at least partially covered by a screen material.

The cover can include a perforated bay extending from the opening.

According to another aspect of the invention, a beverage brewingcontainer includes a receptacle and a cover. The receptacle includes apassageway, a base, and a sidewall. The passageway provides fluidcommunication between an interior of the receptacle and an exterior ofthe receptacle. The base has an interior surface and an exterior surfaceand is configured to avoid contact with an outflow needle of a beveragebrewer. The sidewall extends upward from the interior surface of thebase and is configured to avoid contact with the outflow needle. Thecover is configured to sealingly engage with a top edge of the sidewall,and includes a cover opening. The container is configured to acceptinput fluid through the cover opening and to provide a correspondingoutflow of fluid through the passageway while the passagewayaccommodates the outflow needle.

The receptacle can also include an extension extending from an exteriorsurface of the base such that at least a portion of the base isseparated a fixed distance from a support surface when a distal end ofthe extension is in contact with the support surface. The fixed distancecan be large enough to prevent the outflow needle from contacting theportion of the base. The extension can extend from a periphery of thebase, or the extension can extend from an interior portion of the base.

The container can also include a filter that is configured to be heldwithin the receptacle.

The container can be constructed of a material that is reusable afterbeing wet.

The passageway can have an unobstructed configuration, and can be atleast partially covered by a screen material.

At least one portion of the sidewall can include a sidewall opening thatis at least partially covered by a screen material.

The cover can include a perforated bay extending from the cover opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will be more apparent from the following more particulardescription thereof, presented in conjunction with the followingdrawings wherein:

FIG. 1A is a front view of a coffee maker according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 1B is a side view of the coffee maker according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 1C is a top view of the coffee maker according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the coffee maker with an open lid allowingplacement of a coffee holder according to the present invention insidethe coffee maker.

FIG. 2A is a functional diagram of the coffee maker.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a first coffee holder according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the first coffee holderaccording to the present invention taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional side view of the first coffee holderaccording to the present invention taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3showing an empty coffee holder with the tamping spring and the bottomtamper according to the present invention.

FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional side view of the first coffee holderaccording to the present invention taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3showing the coffee holder with the tamping spring and bottom tamper, aportion of coffee, and the holder lid ready to attach to a holder bodyaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional side view of the first coffee holderaccording to the present invention taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3showing the coffee holder with the tamping spring and bottom tamper, theportion of coffee in the coffee holder, and the holder lid ready toattach to the holder body according to the present invention.

FIG. 5D is a cross-sectional side view of the first coffee holderaccording to the present invention taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3showing the coffee holder with the tamping spring and bottom tamper, theportion of coffee in the coffee holder, and the holder lid attached tothe coffee holder body, according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the first holder lid.

FIG. 7A is a side view of a filter paper cup according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 7B is a top view of the filter paper cup according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 7C is a second embodiment of the filter paper cup with a lid.

FIG. 8A shows the first coffee holder ready for insertion into thecoffee maker.

FIG. 88 shows the first coffee holder inserted into the coffee makerbefore tamping the coffee.

FIG. 8C shows the first coffee holder inserted into the coffee makerafter tamping the coffee.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a second coffee holder according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side view of the second coffee holderaccording to the present invention taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11A is a cross-sectional side view of the second coffee holderaccording to the present invention taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9showing an empty coffee holder with the tamping spring and the toptamper according to the present invention.

FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional side view of the second coffee holderaccording to the present invention taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9showing the coffee holder with the holder lid, tamping spring and toptamper, and a portion of coffee, ready to attach according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 11C is a cross-sectional side view of the second coffee holderaccording to the present invention taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9showing the portion of untamped coffee in the coffee holder, and theholder lid, tamping spring and top tamper, ready to attach to the holderbase, according to the present invention.

FIG. 11D is a cross-sectional side view of the second coffee holderaccording to the present invention taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9showing the portion of coffee in the coffee holder and the tampingspring, top tamper, and the holder lid attached to the coffee holder,according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a top view of the second holder lid.

FIG. 13 is a top view of the bottom tamper.

FIG. 14A shows the second coffee holder ready for insertion into thecoffee maker.

FIG. 14B shows the second coffee holder inserted into the coffee makerbefore tamping the coffee.

FIG. 14C shows the second coffee holder inserted into the coffee makerafter tamping the coffee.

FIG. 15 is a side view of a third coffee holder according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional side view of the third coffee holderaccording to the present invention taken along line 16-16 of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17A is a cross-sectional side view of the third coffee holderaccording to the present invention taken along line 16-16 of FIG. 15showing the portion of coffee above the coffee holder and the top tamperand the holder lid ready to attach to the coffee holder, according tothe present invention.

FIG. 17B is a cross-sectional side view of the third coffee holderaccording to the present invention taken along line 16-16 of FIG. 15showing the portion of coffee in the coffee holder, and the top tamperand the holder lid ready to attach to the coffee holder, according tothe present invention.

FIG. 17C is a cross-sectional side view of the third coffee holderaccording to the present invention taken along line 16-16 of FIG. 15showing the portion of coffee in the coffee holder, and the bottomtamper, the top tamper, and the holder lid attached to the coffeeholder, according to the present invention.

FIG. 18A shows the third coffee holder ready for insertion into a secondcoffee maker according to the present invention.

FIG. 18B shows the third coffee holder inserted into the coffee makerbefore tamping the coffee.

FIG. 18C shows the third coffee holder inserted into the coffee makerafter tamping the coffee.

FIG. 19 is a side view of a fourth coffee holder according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional side view of the fourth coffee holderaccording to the present invention taken along line 20-20 of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21A is a cross-sectional side view of the fourth coffee holderaccording to the present invention taken along line 20-20 of FIG. 19showing the coffee holder with the bottom tamper, a portion of coffee,and the holder lid ready to attach, according to the present invention.

FIG. 21B is a cross-sectional side view of the fourth coffee holderaccording to the present invention taken along line 20-20 of FIG. 19showing the coffee holder with the bottom tamper, a portion of coffee inthe coffee holder, and the holder lid ready to attach, according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 21C is a cross-sectional side view of the fourth coffee holderaccording to the present invention taken along line 20-20 of FIG. 19showing the coffee holder with the bottom tamper, a portion of coffee inthe coffee holder, and the holder lid attached, according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 22A shows the fourth coffee holder ready for insertion into thecoffee maker.

FIG. 22B shows the fourth coffee holder inserted into the coffee makerbefore tamping the coffee.

FIG. 22C shows the fourth coffee holder inserted into the coffee makerafter tamping the coffee.

FIG. 23A shows the fourth coffee holder ready for insertion into thecoffee maker having a tamping block according to the present invention.

FIG. 23B shows the fourth coffee holder inserted into the coffee makerhaving the tamping block before tamping the coffee.

FIG. 23C shows the fourth coffee holder inserted into the coffee makerhaving the tamping block after tamping the coffee.

FIG. 24 is a side view of a fifth coffee holder according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional side view of the fifth coffee holderaccording to the present invention taken along line 25-25 of FIG. 24.

FIG. 26A is a cross-sectional side view of the fifth coffee holderaccording to the present invention taken along line 25-25 of FIG. 24showing the portion of coffee above the coffee holder body, and theholder lid with the top tamper and tamping spring, ready to attach tothe coffee holder body, according to the present invention.

FIG. 26B is a cross-sectional side view of the fifth coffee holderaccording to the present invention taken along line 25-25 of FIG. 24showing the coffee holder with the portion of coffee in the coffeeholder, and the holder lid with the top tamper and tamping spring readyto attach to the coffee holder body, according to the present invention.

FIG. 26C is a cross-sectional side view of the fifth coffee holderaccording to the present invention taken along line 25-25 of FIG. 24showing the portion of coffee in the coffee holder, and the holder lidwith the top tamper and tamping spring attached to the holder body,according to the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a side view of a sixth coffee holder according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional side view of the sixth coffee holderaccording to the present invention taken along line 28-28 of FIG. 27.

FIG. 29A is a cross-sectional side view of the sixth coffee holderaccording to the present invention taken along line 28-28 of FIG. 27showing the portion of coffee above the coffee holder, and the holderlid ready to attach to the holder body, according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 29B is a cross-sectional side view of the sixth coffee holderaccording to the present invention taken along line 28-28 of FIG. 27showing the portion of coffee in the coffee holder, and the holder lidready to attach to the holder body, according to the present invention.

FIG. 29C is a cross-sectional side view of the sixth coffee holderaccording to the present invention taken along line 28-28 of FIG. 27showing the portion of coffee in the coffee holder, and the holder lidattached and tam ping the coffee, according to the present invention.

FIG. 30 is a side view of a seventh coffee holder according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional side view of the seventh coffee holderaccording to the present invention taken along line 31-31 of FIG. 30.

FIG. 32A is a cross-sectional side view of the seventh coffee holderaccording to the present invention taken along line 31-31 of FIG. 30showing the portion of coffee above the coffee holder, and the holderlid ready to attach to the holder body, according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 32B is a cross-sectional side view of the seventh coffee holderaccording to the present invention taken along line 31-31 of FIG. 30showing the portion of coffee in the coffee holder, and the holder lidready to attach to the holder body. according to the present invention.

FIG. 32C is a cross-sectional side view of the seventh coffee holderaccording to the present invention taken along line 31-31 of FIG. 30showing the portion of coffee in the coffee holder, and the holder lidattached to the holder body and the coffee tamped between the bottomtamper and spring and the holder lid, according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 33 is a side view of an eighth coffee holder according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 34A is a cross-sectional side view of the eighth coffee holdertaken along line 34-34 of FIG. 33 showing a portion of coffee forplacing inside the coffee holder and the holder lid with an insertableportion and an O-Ring inside the coffee holder for sealing according tothe present invention.

FIG. 34B is a cross-sectional side view of the eighth coffee holdertaken along line 34-34 of FIG. 33 showing the portion of coffee insidethe coffee holder and the holder lid with the insertable portioninserted into the coffee holder and cooperating with the O-Ring insidethe coffee holder for sealing.

FIG. 35 is a side view of a ninth coffee holder according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 36A is a cross-sectional side view of the ninth coffee holder takenalong line 36-36 of FIG. 35 showing a portion of coffee for placinginside the coffee holder and a holder lid with a threaded portion forscrewing inside the holder body for sealing according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 36B is a cross-sectional side view of the ninth coffee holder takenalong line 36-36 of FIG. 35 showing the portion of coffee inside thecoffee holder and a holder lid with the threaded portion screwed intothe holder body and tamping the coffee according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 37A shows a third coffee maker having a coffee holder for receivinga portion of coffee and tamping spring according to the presentinvention for tamping the coffee when the coffee maker lid is closed.

FIG. 37B shows the third coffee maker with the coffee holder holding theportion of coffee and the tamping spring under the coffee holderaccording to the present invention for tamping the coffee when thecoffee maker lid is closed.

FIG. 37C shows the third coffee maker with the coffee holder holding theportion of tamped coffee with the coffee maker lid closed for tampingthe coffee according to the present invention.

FIG. 38A shows a third coffee maker having a coffee holder for receivinga portion of coffee and tamping spring attached to the coffee maker lidaccording to the present invention for tamping the coffee when thecoffee maker lid is closed.

FIG. 38B shows the third coffee maker with the coffee holder holding theportion of untamped coffee according to the present invention fortamping the coffee when the coffee maker lid is closed.

FIG. 38C shows the third coffee maker with the coffee holder holding theportion of tamped coffee with the coffee maker lid closed to push thetamping spring into the coffee holder for tamping the coffee accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 39A shows a fourth coffee maker having a coffee holder forreceiving a packet containing untamped coffee, a knife for cutting thepacket open, and tamping spring attached to the coffee maker lidaccording to the present invention for tamping the coffee when thecoffee maker lid is closed.

FIG. 39B shows the fourth coffee maker with the coffee holder holdingthe packet of untamped coffee according to the present invention fortamping the coffee when the coffee maker lid is closed.

FIG. 39C shows the fourth coffee maker with the coffee holder holdingthe packet of tamped coffee with the coffee maker lid closed to push thetamping spring into the coffee holder for tamping the coffee accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 40A shows a fifth coffee maker accepting a horizontal coffee holderand tamping spring residing horizontally in a coffee holder cavityaccording to the present invention for tamping the coffee when thecoffee maker lid is closed.

FIG. 40B shows the fifth coffee maker with the coffee holder residinghorizontally in the coffee holder cavity according to the presentinvention for tamping the coffee when the coffee maker lid is closed.

FIG. 40C shows the fifth coffee maker with the coffee holder residinghorizontally in the coffee holder cavity with the coffee maker lidclosed and the coffee holder pushed against the tamping spring fortamping the coffee, according to the present invention.

FIG. 41 is a side view of a tenth coffee holder with straight wallsaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 42 is a cross-sectional view of the tenth coffee holder taken alongline 42-42 of FIG. 41 showing an empty coffee holder.

FIG. 43 is a cross-sectional view of the tenth coffee holder taken alongline 42-42 of FIG. 41 showing a full and tamped coffee holder.

FIG. 44 is a side view of an eleventh coffee holder with straight wallsaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 45 is a cross-sectional view of the eleventh coffee holder takenalong line 45-45 of FIG. 44 showing an empty coffee holder.

FIG. 46 is a cross-sectional view of the eleventh coffee holder takenalong line 45-45 of FIG. 41 showing a full and tamped coffee holder.

FIG. 47A is a side view of a top tamper.

FIG. 47B is a top view of the top tamper.

FIG. 47C is a side view of a top tamper with a seal according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 47D is a top view of the top tamper with a seal.

FIG. 48 is a perspective view of a filter paper cup with a folding cuplid.

FIG. 49 is a side view of a twelfth coffee holder with straight wallsaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 50 is a cross-sectional view of the twelfth coffee holder takenalong line 50-50 of FIG. 49 showing an empty coffee holder.

FIG. 51A is a cross-sectional view of the twelfth coffee holder takenalong line 50-50 of FIG. 49 showing a lid, coffee, a filter paper cup,above the base, and the coffee holder base.

FIG. 51B is a cross-sectional view of the twelfth coffee holder takenalong line 50-50 of FIG. 49 showing the lid, above the coffee and thefilter paper cup resting in the coffee holder base.

FIG. 51C is a cross-sectional view of the twelfth coffee holder takenalong line 50-50 of FIG. 49 showing the lid, above the coffee and thefilter paper cup resting in the coffee holder base with a filter papercover folded over the coffee in the filter paper cup.

FIG. 51D is a cross-sectional view of the twelfth coffee holder takenalong line 50-50 of FIG. 49 showing the lid attached to the base withthe coffee and the filter paper cup residing in the coffee holder basewith the coffee tamped.

FIG. 52 is a side view of a thirteenth coffee holder with a releaseabletamping latch according to the present invention.

FIG. 53 is a cross-sectional view of the thirteenth coffee holder takenalong line 53-53 of FIG. 52 showing an empty coffee holder.

FIG. 54A is a cross-sectional view of the thirteenth coffee holder takenalong line 53-53 of FIG. 52 showing a lid, coffee, a filter paper cup,above the base, and the coffee holder base, with the tamping latchretaining the bottom tamper.

FIG. 54B is a cross-sectional view of the thirteenth coffee holder takenalong line 53-53 of FIG. 52 showing the lid, above the coffee and thefilter paper cup resting in the coffee holder base, with the tampinglatch retaining the bottom tamper.

FIG. 54C is a cross-sectional view of the thirteenth coffee holder takenalong line 53-53 of FIG. 52 showing the lid, above the coffee and thefilter paper cup resting in the coffee holder base with the tampinglatch retaining the bottom tamper.

FIG. 54D is a cross-sectional view of the fourteenth coffee holder takenalong line 53-53 of FIG. 52 showing the lid attached to the base withthe coffee and the filter paper cup residing in the coffee holder basewith tamping latch released and the coffee tamped.

FIG. 55 is a side view of a fourteenth coffee holder with a releaseabletamping latch according to the present invention.

FIG. 56 is a cross-sectional view of the fourteenth coffee holder takenalong line 56-56 of FIG. 55 showing an empty coffee holder.

FIG. 57A is a cross-sectional view of the fourteenth coffee holder takenalong line 56-56 of FIG. 55 showing a lid, coffee, a filter paper cup,above the base, and the coffee holder base, with the tamping latchretaining the bottom tamper.

FIG. 57B is a cross-sectional view of the fourteenth coffee holder takenalong line 56-56 of FIG. 55 showing the lid, above the coffee and thefilter paper cup resting in the coffee holder base, with the tampinglatch retaining the bottom tamper.

FIG. 57C is a cross-sectional view of the fourteenth coffee holder takenalong line 56-56 of FIG. 55 showing the lid, above the coffee and thefilter paper cup resting in the coffee holder base, with the tampinglatch released but just prior to tamping.

FIG. 57D is a cross-sectional view of the fourteenth coffee holder takenalong line 56-56 of FIG. 55 showing the lid attached to the base withthe coffee and the filter paper cup residing in the coffee holder basewith tamping latch released and the coffee tamped.

FIG. 58 is a side view of a fourteenth coffee holder with a releaseabletamping lock according to the present invention.

FIG. 59 is a cross-sectional view of the fourteenth coffee holder takenalong line 59-59 of FIG. 58 showing an empty coffee holder.

FIG. 60A is a cross-sectional view of the fourteenth coffee holder takenalong line 59-59 of FIG. 58 showing a lid, coffee, a filter paper cup,above the base, and the coffee holder base, with the tamping lockretaining the bottom tamper.

FIG. 60B is a cross-sectional view of the fourteenth coffee holder takenalong line 59-59 of FIG. 58 showing the lid, above the coffee and thefilter paper cup resting in the coffee holder base, with the tampinglock retaining the bottom tamper.

FIG. 60C is a cross-sectional view of the fourteenth coffee holder takenalong line 59-59 of FIG. 58 showing the lid, above the coffee and thefilter paper cup resting in the coffee holder base prior to tamping.

FIG. 60D is a cross-sectional view of the fourteenth coffee holder takenalong line 59-59 of FIG. 58 showing the lid attached to the base withthe coffee and the filter paper cup residing in the coffee holder basewith tamping lock released and the coffee tamped.

FIG. 61A is a top view of a lock according to the present invention.

FIG. 61B is a bottom view of a second bottom tamper with cooperates withthe tamping lock according to the present invention.

FIG. 62A shows a pre-packaged brewing material for use in the coffeemaking according to the present invention.

FIG. 62B shows a cut away view of the pre-packaged brewing material foruse in the coffee making according to the present invention showing thebrewing material.

FIG. 62C shows the pre-packaged brewing material in a coffee holdinghaving a window to expose a bar code.

FIG. 63D shows the pre-packaged brewing material in the coffee holdinghaving the window to expose a bar code in the cavity of a coffee makerincluding a bar code reader.

FIG. 62E shows a coffee holder having the bar code on the coffee holderin the cavity of a coffee maker including the bar code reader

FIG. 63A is a side view of a filter cup according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 63B is a top view of the filter cup according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 64 is a side view of multi-mode coffee maker according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 65A is a front view of the multi-mode coffee maker according to thepresent invention with a carafe positioned for receiving a volume ofcoffee.

FIG. 65B is a side view of the multi-mode coffee maker according to thepresent invention with the carafe positioned for receiving a volume ofcoffee.

FIG. 66A is a front view of the multi-mode coffee maker according to thepresent invention with a coffee cup positioned for receiving a volume ofcoffee.

FIG. 66B is a side view of the multi-mode coffee maker according to thepresent invention with the coffee cup positioned for receiving a volumeof coffee.

FIG. 67A is a front view of a single cup adapter according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 67B is a side view of the single cup adapter according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 67C is a top view of the single cup adapter according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 67D is a side view of a second single cup adapter according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 68 is a cross-sectional view of the single cup adapter according tothe present invention taken along line 68-68 of FIG. 67A.

FIG. 69A is a side view of a multi-serving coffee holder according tothe present invention for use in the multi-mode coffee maker for makingseveral cups of coffee.

FIG. 69B is a side view of a single-serving coffee holder according tothe present invention for use in the multi-mode coffee maker for makingone cup of coffee.

FIG. 70 shows a coffee maker and reuseable cartridge according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 71A shows a side view of the reuseable cartridge according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 71B shows a top view of the reuseable cartridge according, to thepresent invention.

FIG. 72 show a cross-sectional view of the reuseable cartridge accordingto the present invention taken along line 72-72 of FIG. 71B.

FIG. 73A shows a side view of a cover of the reuseable cartridgeaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 73B shows a top view of the cover of the reuseable cartridgeaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 74 show a cross-sectional view of the cover of the reuseablecartridge according to the present invention taken along line 74-74 ofFIG. 738.

FIG. 75A shows a side view of a base of the reuseable cartridgeaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 75B shows a top view of the base of the reuseable cartridgeaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 76 show a cross-sectional view of the base of the reuseablecartridge according to the present invention taken along line 76-76 ofFIG. 75B.

FIG. 77A shows a side view of a brewed beverage pod for use in thereuseable cartridge according to the present invention.

FIG. 778 shows a top view of the brewed beverage pod for use in thereuseable cartridge according to the present invention.

FIG. 78A shows a side view of filter paper for use in the reuseablecartridge according to the present invention.

FIG. 78B shows a top view of the filter paper for use in the reuseablecartridge according to the present invention.

FIG. 79A shows a side view of the filter paper cup according to thepresent with the folding paper lid open.

FIG. 79B shows a top view of the filter paper cup according to thepresent.

FIG. 79C shows a second side view of the filter paper cup with thefolding paper lid closed.

FIG. 80 is a cross-sectional view of the filter paper cup taken alongline 80-80 of FIG. 79B showing folds according to the present.

FIG. 81A is a cross-sectional side view of the coffee holder accordingto the present invention showing the coffee holder with the tampingspring and bottom tamper, the filter paper cup containing a portion ofcoffee, and the holder lid ready to attach to a holder body according tothe present invention.

FIG. 81B is a cross-sectional side view of the coffee holder accordingto the present invention showing the coffee holder with the tampingspring and bottom tamper, the portion of coffee in the filter paper cup,and the holder lid attached to the holder body with the rim of thefilter paper cup sandwiched between the lid and coffee holder and thetamping spring and bottom tamper pushing the filter paper cup againstthe lid according to the present invention.

FIG. 82 shows a cross-sectional view of the coffee holder according tothe present invention showing without the tamping spring.

FIG. 83A shows a side view of the filter paper cup with a separatereceptacle and paper lid according to the present.

FIG. 83B shows a top view of the filter paper cup with the separatereceptacle and paper lid according to the present.

FIG. 83C shows a second side view of the filter paper cup with theseparate paper lid residing on the receptacle.

FIG. 84A shows a top and side view of another embodiment of a coffeeholder according to the present invention.

FIG. 84B shows a bottom and side view of the coffee holder of FIG. 84Aaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 85 shows a top and side view of the coffee holder of FIG. 84A withthe lid removed, according to the present invention.

FIG. 86 shows a cross-sectional view of the coffee holder of FIG. 84A,according to the present invention, with the lid removed, taken alongline 86-86 of FIG. 85.

FIG. 87A is a top view of a lid of the coffee holder of FIG. 84Aaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 87B is a bottom view of a lid of the coffee holder of FIG. 84Aaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 88A shows a first side view of the coffee holder of FIG. 84Aaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 88B shows a second side view of the coffee holder of FIG. 84Arotated 45 degrees, according to the present invention.

FIG. 88C shows a top view of the coffee holder of FIG. 84A according tothe present invention.

FIG. 88D shows a bottom side view of the coffee holder of FIG. 84Aaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 89A shows a top view of the coffee holder of FIG. 84A according tothe present invention, with the lid removed.

FIG. 89B shows a bottom side view of the coffee holder of FIG. 84Aaccording to the present invention, with the lid removed.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding componentsthroughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but ismade merely for the purpose of describing one or more preferredembodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention should bedetermined with reference to the claims.

A front view of a coffee 10 maker according to the present invention isshown in FIG. 1A a side view of the coffee maker 10 is shown in FIG. 1B,and a top view of the coffee maker 10 is shown in FIG. 1C. The coffeemaker 10 includes a body 12, an opening lid 14, a lid handle 16, a watercontainer 18, a display 20, controls 22, a platform 24 and a mouth 12 a.A coffee pitcher 26 rests on the platform 24 inside the mouth 12 a andhas a pitcher lid 28. The coffee maker 10 provides a flow of hot waterthrough coffee grounds to produce a coffee drink. The flow of water maybe heated by one of any known means, for example, an electrical heatingcoil or a conductive coating on tubing carrying the water.

A side view of the coffee maker 10 with an open lid 14 allowingplacement of a coffee holder 30 according to the present inventioninside the coffee maker 10 is shown in FIG. 2. The lid 14 includes a lidhinge 14 a and a water tube 15 carries heated water into the lid 14. Apad 17 resides on a bottom surface of the lid 14 and presses against thecoffee holder 30 when the lid 14 is closed, and in cooperation withother means discloses hereafter, tamps coffee contained in the coffeeholder 30. A nozzle 19 extending down from the closed lid 14 directs theflow of hot water into the coffee holder 30.

A functional diagram of the coffee maker 10 is shown in FIG. 2A. Thepreferred coffee maker 10 includes the water tank 18, water pump 21, aheater 13, check valve 23 and the nozzle 18. The pump 21 preferablyprovides at least one PSI water pressure. The water heater 13 mayinclude a heating coil or a resistive coating or any other means forheating water. The check valve 23 limits the water pressure at thenozzle 19 by returning some of the water flow to the water tank 18.While a the water pump 21 is a preferred method for providing a flow ofwater to the nozzle 19, other methods include pressuring the water inthe water tank 18, and a coffee maker using any means to provide aforced flow of water is intending to within the scope of the presentinvention.

A side view of a first coffee holder 30 a according to the presentinvention is shown in FIG. 3 and a cross-sectional side view of thefirst coffee holder 30 a including a holder body 31, a first holder lid32 a, a bottom tamper 34, and a tamping spring 36 according to thepresent invention taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3 is shown in FIG. 4. Avolume (or coffee holder interior) 38 is provided inside the coffeeholder 30 a to receive loose coffee 41. A passage 33 in the lid 32 a isprovided for the nozzle 19 (see FIG. 2).

A cross-sectional side view of the first coffee holder 30 a taken alongline 4-4 of FIG. 3 showing an empty coffee holder 30 a with the tampingspring 36 and the bottom tamper 34 ready for filling are shown in FIG.5A. A cross-sectional side view of the first coffee holder 30 a takenalong line 4-4 of FIG. 3 showing the coffee holder 30 a with the tampingspring 36 and bottom tamper 34, a portion of loose coffee 41, and theholder lid 32 a ready to attach is shown in FIG. 5B. A cross-sectionalside view of the first coffee holder 30 a taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3showing the coffee holder 30 a with the tamping spring 36 and bottomtamper 34, a portion of coffee in the volume 38, and the holder lid 32 aready to attach is shown in FIG. 5C. A cross-sectional side view of thefirst coffee holder 30 a taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3 showing thecoffee holder 30 a with the tamping spring 36 and bottom tamper 34, aportion of loose coffee 41 in the volume 38, and the holder lid 32 aattached to the coffee holder 30 a, is shown in FIG. 5D.

A top view of the first holder lid 32 a showing the passage 33 providedfor the nozzle 19 (see FIG. 2) is shown in FIG. 6.

A side view of a filter paper cup 40 according to the present inventionis shown in FIG. 7A and a top view of the filter paper cup 40 is shownin FIG. 7B. The filter paper cup 40 includes a bottom 40 b, sides 40 a,and a rim 40 c. The rim 40 c rests on a top edge of the holder body 31and is held between the holder cap and body when the cap is placed onthe body, thereby preventing or restricting the escape of coffee 41 fromthe cup 40 when hot water flows into the coffee holder 30 a.

A second embodiment of the filter paper cup 40′ with a folding paper lid40 d is shown in FIG. 7C. The lid 40 d of the filter paper cup 40′ maybe folded over the cup 40′ after loose coffee is poured into the cup.The lid 40 d preferably includes a perforation 40 e centered on the lid40 d allowing the nozzle 19 to enter and/or inject the hot flow of waterinto the tamped coffee 41.

The filter cups may be made from several materials including filterpaper, nylon mesh, steel mesh, or any material suitable for filtration.

The first coffee holder 30 a is shown ready for insertion into a firstcoffee maker 10 a in FIG. 8A, the first coffee holder 30 a is showninserted into the coffee maker 10 before tamping the coffee 41 in FIG.8B, and the first coffee holder 30 a is shown in the coffee maker 10after tamping the coffee 41 in FIG. 8C. The coffee maker includes acavity 11 for accepting the coffee holder and has walls 11 a foraligning the coffee holder in the coffee maker. When the lid 14 isclosed, the pad 17 on the bottom of the lid 14 and/or arms 25 attachedto the bottom of the lid 25, push the coffee holder 30 a down over thetamping spring 36 and the coffee 41 is tamped between the lid 32 a andthe bottom tamper 34. The arms 25 push the coffee holder 30 a down aheadof the nozzle 19 thereby seating the coffee holder 30 a in the cavity 11for alignment of the nozzle 10 with the passage 33 in the lid 32 a.

A side view of a second coffee holder 30 b according to the presentinvention is shown in FIG. 9 and a cross-sectional side view of thesecond coffee holder 30 b taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9 is shown inFIG. 10. The coffee holder 30 b includes the holder body 31, a secondholder lid 32 b, a tamping spring 36, a spring washer 35 a, and a toptamper 35 b.

A cross-sectional side view of the second coffee holder 30 b taken alongline 10-10 of FIG. 9 showing an empty coffee holder 30 b is shown inFIG. 11A. A cross-sectional side view of the second coffee holder 30 btaken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9 showing the holder lid 32 b and a looseportion of coffee 41 above the empty coffee holder 30 b is shown in FIG.11B. A cross-sectional side view of the second coffee holder 30 b takenalong line 10-10 of FIG. 9 showing the holder lid 32 b above the coffeeholder 30 b with the portion of loose coffee 41 in the coffee holder 32b is shown in FIG. 11C. A crosssectional side view of the second coffeeholder 32 b taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9 showing the coffee holderwith the holder lid 32 b attached to the coffee holder 30 b and aportion of loose coffee 41 in the coffee holder 30 b is shown in FIG.11D. The tamping spring 36 extends upward out of the coffee holder 30 bfor tamping the loose coffee as disclosed hereafter.

A top view of the second holder lid 32 b is shown in FIG. 12. The holderlid 32 b includes a larger passage 33 a allowing passage of the tampingspring 36 through the holder lid 32 b.

A top view of the bottom tamper 34 is shown in FIG. 13. The bottomtamper 34 includes perforations 34 a to allow coffee drink to passthrough the bottom tamper 34.

The second coffee holder 30 b is shown ready for insertion into thecoffee maker 10 in FIG. 14A, the second coffee holder 30 b is showninserted into the coffee maker 10 before tamping the coffee 41 in FIG.14B, and the second coffee holder 30 b is shown in the coffee maker 10after tamping the coffee 41 in FIG. 14C. The coffee maker 10 may includea long nozzle 19 a to reach the top tamper 35 b for “injection” of theheated water into the tamped coffee, but may also include the nozzle 19and the heated water may pass through the coffee 41 under the pull ofgravity.

A side view of a third coffee holder 30 c according to the presentinvention is shown in FIG. 16 and a cross-sectional side view of thethird coffee holder 30 c taken along line 16-16 of FIG. 15 is shown inFIG. 16. The coffee holder 30 c includes the holder body 31, the secondholder lid 32 b, the bottom tamper 34, and the top tamper 35 b.

A cross-sectional side view of the third coffee holder 30 c taken alongline 16-16 of FIG. 15 showing the coffee holder 30 c with the holder lid32 b, the top tamper 35 b, and a portion of coffee, ready to attach tothe holder 31, is shown in FIG. 17A. A cross-sectional side view of thethird coffee holder taken along line 16-16 of FIG. 15 showing the coffeeholder 30 c with the holder lid 32 b and the top tamper ready to attach,and a portion of coffee 41 in the coffee holder, is shown in FIG. 17B. Across-sectional side view of the third coffee holder 30 c taken alongline 16-16 of FIG. 15 showing the coffee holder with the holder lid andthe top tamper attached and a loose portion of coffee 41 in the coffeeholder is shown in FIG. 17C. The coffee holder 30 c is configured to usewith a coffee make 10 b (see FIGS. 18A-18C) including apparatus forentering the coffee holder for tamping the loose coffee 41.

The third coffee holder 30 c ready for insertion into a second coffeemaker 10 b in FIG. 18A, the third coffee holder 30 c is shown residingin the coffee maker 10 b before tamping the coffee 41 in FIG. 18B, andthe third coffee holder 30 c is shown residing in the coffee maker 10 bafter tamping the coffee 41 in FIG. 18C. The coffee maker 10 b includesthe tamping spring 36 attached to the pad 17 on the bottom of the lid14. When the lid 14 is closed the tamping spring 36 enters the coffeeholder 30 c through the lid passage 33 a (see FIG. 12) and pushes thetop tamper 35 b against the coffee 41 to tamp the coffee 41.

A side view of a fourth coffee holder 30 d according to the presentinvention is shown in FIG. 19 and a cross-sectional side view of thefourth coffee holder 30 d taken along line 20-20 of FIG. 19 is shown inFIG. 20. The coffee holder 30 d includes the holder body 31, the firstholder lid 32 a, and the bottom tamper 34.

A cross-sectional side view of the fourth coffee holder 30 d taken alongline 20-20 of FIG. 19 showing the coffee holder with the bottom tamper34, and a portion of coffee 41 and the holder lid ready to attach isshown in FIG. 21A. A cross-sectional side view of the fourth coffeeholder 30 d taken along line 20-20 of FIG. 19 showing the coffee holder30 d with the bottom tamper 34, the portion of coffee 41 in the coffeeholder 30 d, and the holder lid 32 a ready to attach is shown in FIG.21B. A cross-sectional side view of the fourth coffee holder 30 d takenalong line 20-20 of FIG. 19 showing the coffee holder 30 d with thebottom tamper 34, a portion of coffee in the coffee holder 41, and theholder lid 32 a is shown in FIG. 21C.

The fourth coffee holder 30 d ready for insertion into anotherembodiment of the second coffee maker 10 b in FIG. 22A, the fourthcoffee holder 30 d is shown residing in the coffee maker 10 b beforetamping the coffee 41 in FIG. 22B, and the fourth coffee holder 30 d isshown residing in the coffee maker 10 b after tamping the coffee 41 inFIG. 22C. The coffee maker 10 b may include the tamping spring 36residing in the bottom of the coffee holder cavity 11. When the lid 14is closed, the pad 17 pushed the coffee holder 30 d down over thetamping spring 36 and the tamping spring 36 enters the coffee holder 30c through the bottom of the holder body 31 and pushes the bottom tamper34 against the coffee 41 to tamp the coffee 41.

The fourth coffee holder 30 d ready for insertion into anotherembodiment of the second coffee maker 10 b in FIG. 23A, the fourthcoffee holder 30 d is shown residing in the coffee maker 10 b beforetamping the coffee 41 in FIG. 23B, and the fourth coffee holder 30 d isshown residing in the coffee maker 10 b after tamping the coffee 41 inFIG. 23C. The coffee maker 10 b may include a resilient solid block 42residing in the bottom of the coffee holder cavity 11. When the lid 14is closed, the pad 17 pushed the coffee holder 30 d down over theresilient solid block 42 and the resilient solid block 42 enters thecoffee holder 30 c through the bottom of the holder body 31 and pushesthe bottom tamper 34 against the coffee 41 to tamp the coffee 41.

A side view of a fifth coffee holder 30 e according to the presentinvention is shown in FIG. 24 and a cross-sectional side view of thefifth coffee holder 30 e taken along line 25-25 of FIG. 24 is shown inFIG. 25. The fifth coffee holder 30 e includes the holder body 31, theholder lid 32 b, the tamping spring 36 and the top tamper 35 b attachedto the holder lid 32 a.

A cross-sectional side view of the fifth coffee holder 30 e taken alongline 25-25 of FIG. 24 showing the coffee holder 30 e with a portion ofcoffee 41, and the holder lid 32 b with the top tamper 35 b and tampingspring 36 attached, above the holder body 31, is shown in FIG. 26A. Across-sectional side view of the fifth coffee holder 30 e taken alongline 25-25 of FIG. 24 showing the coffee holder with the portion ofcoffee 41 in the coffee holder, and the holder lid 32 b with the toptamper 35 b and tamping spring 36 attached, above the holder body 31, isshown in FIG. 26B. A cross-sectional side view of the fifth coffeeholder 30 e taken along line 25-25 of FIG. 24 showing the coffee holder30 e with the portion of coffee 41 in the coffee holder 30 e, and theholder lid 32 b with the top tamper 35 b and tamping spring 36 attachedto the holder base 31 is shown in FIG. 26D. The tamping spring 36 andtop tamper 35 b tamp the coffee 41 to provide a tamped coffee when theholder lid 32 b is attached to the holder base 31.

A side view of a sixth coffee holder 30 f according to the presentinvention is shown in FIG. 27 and a cross-sectional side view of thesixth coffee holder 30 f taken along line 28-28 of FIG. 27 is shown inFIG. 28. The sixth coffee holder 30 f includes the holder body 31 and athird holder lid 32 c. The third holder lid 32 c includes a recessedportion 32′ which reaches into the interior of the sixth coffee holder30 f. The recessed portion 32′ is preferably a solid resilient material.

A cross-sectional side view of the sixth coffee holder 30 f taken alongline 28-28 of FIG. 27 showing the sixth coffee holder 30 f with aportion of coffee 41, and the holder lid 32 c, above the holder body 31,is shown in FIG. 29A. A cross-sectional side view of the sixth coffeeholder 30 f taken along line 28-28 of FIG. 27 showing the coffee holderwith the portion of coffee 41 in the coffee holder, and the holder lid32 c above the holder body 31, is shown in FIG. 29B. A cross-sectionalside view of the sixth coffee holder 30 f along line 28-28 of FIG. 27showing the sixth coffee holder 30 f with the portion of coffee 41 inthe coffee holder 30 e, and the holder lid 32 e attached to the holderbase 31 is shown in FIG. 26D. A cushion 32′ tamps the coffee 41 toprovide a tamped coffee when the holder lid 32 e is attached to theholder base 31. The cushion 32′ is preferably made from a resilientmaterial to cushion the tamping of the loose coffee.

A side view of a seventh coffee holder 30 g according to the presentinvention is shown in FIG. 30 and a cross-sectional side view of theseventh coffee holder 30 g taken along line 31-31 of FIG. 30 is shown inFIG. 31. The seventh coffee holder 30 g includes the holder body 31, theholder lid 32 b, the tamping spring 36, and the bottom tamper 34 insidethe holder base 31.

A cross-sectional side view of the seventh coffee holder 30 g takenalong line 31-31 of FIG. 30 showing the seventh coffee holder 30 g witha portion of coffee 41 and the holder lid 32 a above the holder body 31,and with the bottom tamper 34 and tamping spring 36 inside the holderbase 31, is shown in FIG. 26A. A cross-sectional side view of theseventh coffee holder 30 g taken along line 31-31 of FIG. 30 showing thecoffee holder with the portion of coffee 41 in the filter paper 40 inthe holder base 31 resting on the bottom tamper 34 supported by thetamping spring 36, and the holder lid 32 a above the holder body 31, isshown in FIG. 26B. A cross-sectional side view of the seventh coffeeholder 30 g taken along line 31-31 of FIG. 30 showing the seventh coffeeholder 30 g with the portion of coffee 41 in the coffee holder 30 e, andthe holder lid 32 a attached to the holder base 31, is shown in FIG.26D. The tamping spring 36 and bottom tamper 34 tamp the coffee 41upward against the tamper lid 32 a to provide a tamped coffee when theholder lid 32 a is attached to the holder base 31.

A side view of an eighth coffee holder 30 h according to the presentinvention is shown in FIG. 33, a cross-sectional side view of the eighthcoffee holder 30 h taken along line 34-34 of FIG. 33 showing a portionof coffee 41 for placing inside the coffee holder and a fourth holderlid 32 d with an insertable portion and an O-Ring 50 inside the coffeeholder for sealing is shown in FIG. 34A, and a cross-sectional side viewof the eighth coffee holder taken along line 34-34 of FIG. 33 showingthe portion of coffee 41 inside the coffee holder 30 h and the holderlid 32 d with the insertable portion inserted into the coffee holderbase 31 a is shown in FIG. 34B. The filter paper 40 extends up above theO-ring 50 and the O-Ring 50 cooperates with the holder lid 32 d tosandwich the top edge of the filter paper 40 for sealing the filterpaper 40 to reduce or prevent the coffee 41 from escaping when the flowof hot water is provided to the coffee holder 30 h. The holder base 31 ais preferably cylindrical but may also be conical in shape.

A side view of a ninth coffee holder 30 i according to the presentinvention is shown in FIG. 35, a cross-sectional side view of the ninthcoffee holder 30 i taken along line 36-36 of FIG. 35 showing a portionof coffee 41 for placing inside the coffee holder and a fifth holder lid32 e with a threaded portion for screwing inside the holder base 31 bfor sealing is shown in FIG. 36A, and a cross-sectional side view of theninth coffee holder 30 i taken along line 36-36 of FIG. 35 showing theportion of coffee 41 inside the coffee holder and the holder lid 32 ewith the threaded portion screwed into the coffee holder and tamping thecoffee 41 is shown in FIG. 36B. The threads both provide tamping andsealing the coffee to reduce or prevent the coffee 41 from escaping whenthe flow of hot water is provided to the coffee holder 30 h. The holderbase 31 b is preferably cylindrical to facilitate having internalthreads, and at least the threaded portion is preferably cylindrical.

A third coffee maker 10 c having a coffee holder 30 according to thepresent invention for receiving a portion of coffee and a tamping spring36 for tamping the coffee is shown in FIG. 37A, the third coffee maker10 c with the coffee holder 30 holding the portion of coffee 41 is shownin FIG. 37B, and the third coffee maker 10 c with the coffee holder 30holding the portion of coffee 41 with the coffee maker lid 14 closed fortamping the coffee 41 is shown in FIG. 370. When the lid 14 is closed,the pad 17 pushes the coffee holder 30 down and the tamping spring 36enters the bottom of the coffee holder 30 to tamp the coffee 41. Whileattaching the lid 32 a to the holder 30 is preferred in order to preventcoffee grounds from escaping the holder 30, the coffee maker 10 c mayalso be used without the lid 32 a and the pad 17 may serve to seal thecoffee 41 in the holder 30. In this instance, the coffee maker lid 14serves as a coffee holder lid.

A third coffee maker 10 c having a coffee holder for receiving a portionof coffee and tamping spring 36 attached to the coffee maker lid 14according to the present invention for tamping the coffee 41 when thecoffee maker lid 14 is closed is shown in FIG. 38A, the third coffeemaker with the coffee holder 30 holding the portion of coffee 41 isshown in FIG. 38B, and the third coffee maker 10 c with the coffeeholder 30 holding the portion of coffee 41 with the coffee maker lid 14closed to push the tamping spring 36 into the coffee holder 30 fortamping the coffee 41 is shown in FIG. 380.

A fourth coffee maker 10 d having a third holder base 31 c for receivinga packet 41 a containing untamped coffee, a knife 50 for cutting thepacket 41 a open, and tamping spring 36 under the holder base 31 caccording to the present invention for tamping the coffee when thecoffee maker lid is closed is shown in FIG. 39A, the fourth coffee maker10 d with the holder base 31 c holding the packet 41 a of untampedcoffee is shown in FIG. 39B, and fourth coffee maker with the holderbase 31 c holding the packet of tamped coffee 41 c with the coffee makerlid 14 closed to push the holder base down over the tamping spring 36for tamping the coffee is shown in FIG. 39C. The coffee maker 10 dincludes a somewhat pointed nozzle 19 b to puncture the packet 41 a toprovide the flow of hot water to the tamped coffee in the packet 41 a.Known coffee packets include internal filters to allow a flow of hotwater through the packet to make the coffee drink while preventingcoffee grounds from escaping. The cut in the packet 41 a made by theknife 50 allows the coffee drink to escape from the packet while filtermaterial in the packet 41 a prevent coffee grounds from escaping. Thetamping spring 36 may also be attached to the lid 14 as in FIGS.38A-38C.

The packet 41 a may be an airtight pod containing coffee in filter paperand positioning the knife on the side of the holder base 31 c results inless likelihood of the knife 50 cutting the filter paper. The packet 41a is preferably airtight to maintain coffee freshness and may beplastic, metal foil, or other airtight material which is sufficientlyflexible to allow the coffee contained in the packet 41 a to be tamped.Alternatively, the knife 50 may be eliminated when the packet 41 a isconfigured to burst under pressure to expose the coffee, for example,when the coffee maker tamps the coffee, the packet 41 a also bursts. Inone embodiment, filter paper 41 is inserted into the holder base 31 cwithout the knife 50, and the packet 41 a bursts during compacting torelease the coffee into the filter paper.

Known coffee makers use a sealed cup or capsule having a somewhat ridgedcup with a foil cover. Such cups might be compressible and used in thecoffee maker 10 d, however, a similar cup or capsule having a lessridged cup which may be compressed in the coffee maker 10 d are moresuitable for use in the coffee maker 10 d to allow tamping of the coffeecontained in the cup or capsule.

A fifth coffee maker 10 e for horizontally receiving the coffee holder30 is shown in FIG. 40A, the fifth coffee maker with the coffee holder30 residing in the coffee maker is shown in FIG. 40B, and the fifthcoffee maker with the coffee maker lid 14 closed and the tamping spring36 entering the coffee holder 30 for tamping the coffee 41 is shown inFIG. 40C. The fifth coffee maker 10 d may alternatively include atamping spring entering the coffee holder top, or a resilient solidblock pushed into the coffee holder 30 to tamp the coffee. Preferably, ahorizontal ram 42 a is actuated when the lid 14 is closed and pushed thecoffee holder 30 against the spring 36 to tamp the coffee. Thehorizontal ram 42 a may actuated by an electrical solenoid, by pressure,or by mechanical levers connected to the lid 14. The fifth coffee maker10 e may further include any of the features described above for otherembodiments of the coffee maker according to the present invention andmay be configured to use any of the coffee holders described aboveaccording to the present invention.

A side view of a tenth coffee holder 30 j with straight walls accordingto the present invention is shown in FIG. 41, and a cross-sectional viewof the tenth coffee holder 30 j taken along line 42-42 of FIG. 41showing an empty coffee holder is shown in FIG. 42. The coffee holder 30j provides straight cylindrical inside walls allowing a better fitbetween the top tamper 35 b and the inside walls to reduce or eliminatecoffee 41 escaping past the top tamper 35 b during tamping.

A cross-sectional view of the tenth coffee holder 30 j taken along line42-42 of FIG. 41 showing a full and tamped coffee holder is shown inFIG. 43. The tamping spring 36 has been pushed down by the lid 32 b totamp the coffee 41.

A side view of an eleventh coffee holder 30 k with straight wallsaccording to the present invention is shown in FIG. 44, across-sectional view of the eleventh coffee holder 30 k taken along line45-45 of FIG. 44 showing an empty coffee holder is shown in FIG. 45, anda cross-sectional view of the eleventh coffee holder 30 k taken alongline 45-45 of FIG. 41 showing a full and tamped coffee holder. As withthe coffee holder 30 j, the coffee holder 30 k provides straightcylindrical inside walls allowing a better fit between the lid 32 f andthe inside walls to reduce or eliminate coffee 41 escaping past the lid32 f during tamping. The lid 32 f may be used with or without the toptamper 35 b.

A side view of a top tamper 35 b s shown in FIG. 47A and a top view ofthe top tamper 35B is shown in FIG. 47B. A side view of a top tamper 35b′ with a seal 60 according to the present invention is shown in FIG.47C and a top view of the top tamper 35 b′ with the seal 60 is shown inFIG. 47D. In some instances, for example with a very fine ground coffee,an amount of coffee may escape past the top tamper 35 b. In suchinstances, a user may prefer to use the top tamper 35 b′ with the seal60 to reduce or eliminate the escape of the coffee.

A perspective view of a filter paper cup 40′ with a folding cup lid 40 dis shown in FIG. 48 (also see FIG. 7C). The cup lid 40 d may be foldedover the rim 40 c to reduce or prevent coffee from escaping duringtamping of subsequent processing. The lid 40 d may also include aperforation 40 e centered on the lid 40 d allowing the nozzle 19 toenter and/or inject the hot flow of water into the tamped coffee 41, butin some embodiments, the lid 40 d does not include the perforation 40 e.The filter paper cup 40′ may be used in the coffee containers describedherein, and may able be used in a coffee machine having a cavity forreceiving the filter paper cup 40′. While the cup 40′ is preferably madefrom filter paper, the cup may also be made from a reusable mesh.

A side view of a twelfth coffee holder 30 l with straight wallsaccording to the present invention is shown in FIG. 49, and across-sectional view of the twelfth coffee holder 30 l taken along line50-50 of FIG. 49 showing an empty coffee holder is shown in FIG. 50. Thetwelfth coffee holder 30 l includes a straight walled base and thetamping spring below the coffee, and additionally uses a filter papercup 40′ with the folding lid 40 d.

A cross-sectional view of the twelfth coffee holder 30 l taken alongline 50-50 of FIG. 49 showing the lid 32 a, coffee 41, the filter papercup 40′ with lid 40 d, above the coffee holder base 31 a is shown inFIG. 51A, a cross-sectional view of the twelfth coffee holder 30 l takenalong line 50-50 of FIG. 49 showing the lid 32 a, above the coffee 41and the filter paper cup 40′ resting in the coffee holder base 31 a isshown in FIG. 51B, a crosssectional view of the twelfth coffee holder 30l taken along line 50-50 of FIG. 49 showing the lid 32 a, above thecoffee 41 and the filter paper cup 40′ resting in the coffee holder base31 a with the filter paper cover 40 d folded over the coffee 41 in thefilter paper cup 40′ is shown in FIG. 51C, and a cross-sectional view ofthe twelfth coffee holder 30 l taken along line 50-50 of FIG. 49 showingthe lid 32 a attached to the base 31 a with the coffee 41 and the filterpaper cup 40′ residing in the coffee holder base 31 a with the coffee 41tamped is shown in FIG. 51D. In embodiments with the coffee 41 partiallyexposed above the base 31 a, some coffee 41 may escape during tamping.Using the filter paper cup 40′ having the fold over paper lid 40 dreduces or eliminates such escape of coffee 41 and additionally providesa drum like taut surface for consistent puncturing.

A side view of a thirteenth coffee holder 30 m with a releaseabletamping latch 64 according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 52and a cross-sectional view of the thirteenth coffee holder 30 m takenalong line 53-53 of FIG. 52 showing an empty coffee holder is shown inFIG. 53. The latch 64 is held in a latched position by a spring-loadedlever 62 on the exterior of the base 31 a.

A cross-sectional view of the thirteenth coffee holder 30 m taken alongline 53-53 of FIG. 52 showing the lid 32 a, coffee 41, the filter papercup 40, above the base 31 a, and the coffee holder base 31 a, with thetamping latch 64 retaining the bottom tamper 34 is shown in FIG. 54A, across-sectional view of the thirteenth coffee holder 30 m taken alongline 53-53 of FIG. 52 showing the lid 32 a above the coffee 41 and thefilter paper cup 40 resting in the coffee holder base 31 a, with thetamping latch 64 retaining the bottom tamper 34 is shown in FIG. 54B, across-sectional view of the thirteenth coffee holder 30 m taken alongline 53-53 of FIG. 52 showing the lid 32 a, above the coffee 41 and thefilter paper cup 40 resting in the coffee holder base 31 a with thetamping latch 64 retaining the bottom tamper 34 is shown in FIG. 54C,and a cross-sectional view of the fourteenth coffee holder 30 m takenalong line 53-53 of FIG. 52 showing the lid 32 a attached to the base 31a with the coffee 41 and the filter paper cup 40 residing in the coffeeholder base 31 a with tamping latch 64 released and the coffee 41 tampedis shown in FIG. 54D. The lever 62 thus holds the latch 64 until thelever 62 is pushed to release the latch 62 to release the bottom tamper34 to tamp the coffee 41.

A side view of a fourteenth coffee holder 30 n with a releaseabletamping latch 64 according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 55and a cross-sectional view of the fourteenth coffee holder taken alongline 56-56 of FIG. 55 showing an empty coffee holder is shown in FIG.56. The lever 62 holds the latch 64 until the arm 66 attached to the lid32 g pushes the lever 62 to release the latch 64.

A cross-sectional view of the fourteenth coffee holder 30 n taken alongline 56-56 of FIG. 55 showing the lid 32 g, coffee 41 and the filterpaper cup 40, above the coffee holder base 31 a, with the tamping latch64 retaining the bottom tamper 34 is shown in FIG. 57A, across-sectional view of the fourteenth coffee holder 30 n taken alongline 56-56 of FIG. 55 showing the lid 32 g above the coffee 41 and thefilter paper cup 40 resting in the coffee holder base 31 a, with thetamping latch 64 retaining the bottom tamper 34 is shown in FIG. 57B, across-sectional view of the fourteenth coffee holder 30 n taken alongline 56-56 of FIG. 55 showing the lid 32 g, above the coffee 41 and thefilter paper cup 40 resting in the coffee holder base 31 a with thetamping latch 64 released but just prior to tamping (the bottom tamperhas been released but has not moved upward against the coffee 41) isshown in FIG. 57C, and a cross-sectional view of the fourteenth coffeeholder 30 n taken along line 56-56 of FIG. 55 showing the lid 32 gattached to the base with the coffee 41 and the filter paper cup 40residing in the coffee holder base 31 a with tamping latch 64 releasedand the coffee 41 tamped is shown in FIG. 57D. The lever 62 thus holdsthe latch 64 until the lever 62 is pushed by the arm 66 to release thelatch 64 to release the bottom tamper 34 to tamp the coffee 41.

A side view of a fourteenth coffee holder 30 o with a releaseabletamping lock according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 58 anda cross-sectional view of the fourteenth coffee holder 30 o taken alongline 59-59 of FIG. 58 showing an empty coffee holder is shown in FIG.59. The coffee holder 30 o includes a tamping lock 70 which engages asecond bottom tamper 34′ to hold the second bottom tamper in a downposition for filling the coffee holder with coffee and releases thebottom tamper 34′ to be pushed upwards by the tamping spring 36 to tampthe coffee after the holder lid 32 b is attached to the base 31 a.

A cross-sectional view of the fourteenth coffee holder 30 o taken alongline 59-59 of FIG. 58 showing a lid 32 b, coffee 41, a filter paper cup40, above the coffee holder base 31, with the tamping lock 70 retainingthe bottom tamper 34′ is shown in FIG. FIG. 60A, cross-sectional view ofthe fourteenth coffee holder taken along line 59-59 of FIG. 58 showingthe lid, above the coffee and the filter paper cup resting in the coffeeholder base, with the tamping latch retaining the bottom tamper 34′ isshown in FIG. FIG. 60B, a crosssectional view of the fourteenth coffeeholder taken along line 59-59 of FIG. 58 showing the lid, above thecoffee and the filter paper cup resting in the coffee holder base priorto tamping is shown in FIG. 60A, and a cross-sectional view of thefourteenth coffee holder taken along line 59-59 of FIG. 58 showing thelid 32 b attached to the base 31 a with the coffee 41 and the filterpaper cup 41 residing in the coffee holder base 31 a with tamping lockreleased and the coffee tamped is shown in FIG. 60D.

A top view of a tamping lock 70 according to the present invention isshown in FIG. 61A and a bottom view of a second bottom tamper 34′ whichcooperates with the tamping lock 70 according to the present inventionis shown in FIG. 61B. The tamping lock 70 includes teeth 72 which areinserted between and turned to engage lips 74 on the bottom of thebottom tamper 34′ to hold the bottom tamper in the down position forfilling the coffee holder 30 o with coffee 41. After the coffee holder300 is filled with coffee and the holder lid 32 b attached, the tampinglock is twisted to release the bottom tamper 32 b to tamp the coffee.

A pre-packaged rimmed brewing pod 41 b for use in the coffee makingaccording to the present invention is shown in FIG. 62A, a cut away viewof the pre-packaged brewing material 41 a for use in the coffee makingshowing the pod 41 b is shown in FIG. 62B, and a coffee holder 30 phaving a window 77 is shown in FIG. 62C. The pod 41 b is generallysuitable for use in any of the coffee holders 30 a-30 o described above.The pod 41 b further includes an identification feature 76 to provideinformation to the coffee maker to properly brew the specific brewingmaterial 41 in the pod 41 b. The rim of the pod 41 b is captured by thelid of the coffee holder 30 p thereby providing a drum like (or taut)surface for consistent puncturing by the pointed nozzle 19 b (see FIGS.39A-39C).

The pre-packaged rimmed brewing pod 41 b is shown residing in a coffeeholder 30 p in FIG. 62D with the identification feature 76 cooperatingwith a sensor 78 residing in or near the cavity 11 of the coffee maker,and a coffee holder 30 q having the identification feature 76 affixed tothe coffee holder 30 d is shown in FIG. 62E with the identificationfeature 76 cooperating with the sensor 78 residing in or near the cavity11 of the coffee maker. The window 77 provides visual cooperationbetween the identification feature 76 and sensor 78 when necessary.

The identification feature 76 may be visual (for example any featurewhich may be read or a bar code), a readable magnetic strip, a RadioFrequency Identification (RFID), or any feature able to containinformation and provide that information to a reader. The identificationfeature 76 may be read by a sensor 78 appropriately positioned in thecavity 11 of the coffee maker. The identification feature 76 may be onany surface of the prepackaged brewing material 41 a and in the instanceof a visual identification feature 76, the window 77 may be positionedon the coffee holder 30 p and the sensor may be positioned in the cavity11 to correspond with the position of the visual identification feature76. A window 77 is generally not required for a magnetic or RFidentification feature 76 and the location of the corresponding sensor78 generally only need be sufficiently near to the identificationfeature 76.

In another embodiment, a sensor 78 resides on the exterior of the coffeemaker. A bulk brewing material container, a prepackaged pod, a coffeeholder, a recipe book, or any apparatus carrying an identificationfeature, may be swept past the sensor or held against or near thesensor, to provide brewing information to the coffee maker.

A side view of a filter cup 80 according to the present invention isshown in FIG. 63A and a top view of the filter cup 80 is shown in FIG.63B. The filter cup 80 includes a ring 84 made a of a materialsufficiently strong to hold shape in the proposed use. Filter material82 is attached to the ring 84. The filter cup 80 is insertable into thecoffee holder and in many embodiments is a replacement for the filterpaper cup 40.

A side view of multi-mode coffee maker 100 according to the presentinvention is shown in FIG. 64. The multi-mode coffee maker 100 allowsthe user to easily make a single cup of coffee or several cups ofcoffee. The multi-mode coffee maker 100 includes manually operatedcontrols 102 for selecting a volume of water for a single cup of coffeeor to fill a carafe, residing in the mouth 114 of the multi-mode coffeemaker 100. The controls 102 may also allow selection of a large or smallcup of coffee, and of hot water only. Alternatively, the multi-modecoffee maker 100 may detect the presence of a single cup adapter 118 andlimit the volume of coffee produced to an amount for a single cup, forexample as an override if a user accidentally selects a volume of coffeetoo large for a single cup.

A spout/drip valve 104 releases the desired amount of coffee into acarafe or coffee positioned on a platform 24, and a drip valve actuator(or valve lever) 106 is actuateable to open and close the spout/dripvalve 104. In other examples, the drip valve actuator may be pneumatic,hydraulic, or electric, and may be any mechanical link which opens thespout/drip valve 104. The spout/drip valve 104 may further be manuallyopened by a user. For example, the spout/drip valve 104 is opened byplacing the multi-cup brewed coffee container 26 in the coffee maker 100and openable for use of the single cup brewed coffee container 116 byeither a mechanical or electrically operated actuator or by positioningof the single cup adapter 118 for use of the single cup.

In another embodiment the spout/drip valve 104 is opened by thepositioning of a single cup adapter into position for use of a singlecup in the coffee maker, for example by an arm on the single cup adaptercooperating with a lever connected to the spout/drip valve, by an armresiding at the rear of the mouth, the single cup adapter pushingagainst the arm to open the spout/drip valve, or by any mechanical orelectrical apparatus connected to the spout/drip valve and actuated bypositioning the single cup adapter to use a single cup in the coffeemaker. In still another embodiment the flow of brewed coffee iscontrolled by turning the pump 21 on and off, by controlling a boiler,or by controlling a valve preventing the flow of water to the coffeeholder.

A hot plate 108 is recessed on the top surface of the platform 24 andthe recess is larger than the footprint of the multi-cup brewed coffeecontainer (or carafe) 26 allowing contact with the hot plate 108 forkeeping a carafe at a minimum temperature. A passage 110 allows a finger120 of a single cup adapter 118 (see FIG. 67B) to engage a switch 112 toturn off the hot plate 108 when the single cup adapter 118 is in use.

A front view of the multi-mode coffee maker 100 with a carafe 26residing on the platform 24 for receiving a selected volume of coffee isshown in FIG. 65A and a side view of the multi-mode coffee maker 100with the carafe 26 positioned for receiving a selected volume of coffeeis shown in FIG. 65B. The top edge of the carafe 26 pushes the valvelever 106 upward opening the spout/drip valve 104 to allow the selectedvolume of coffee to flow into the carafe 26.

A front view of the multi-mode coffee maker 100 with a coffee cup (orsingle cup brewed coffee container) 116 residing on a single cup adapter118 for receiving the selected volume of coffee is shown in FIG. 66A anda side view of the multi-mode coffee maker 100 with the coffee cupresiding on the single cup adapter 118 for receiving the selected volumeof coffee is shown in FIG. 66B. The single cup adapter 118 includes anupward reaching arm portion 118 b (see FIG. 67B) which pushes the valvelever 106 upward opening the spout/drip valve 104 to allow the selectedvolume of coffee to flow into the coffee cup 116.

A front view of a single cup adapter 118 according to the presentinvention is shown in FIG. 67A, a side view of the single cup adapter118 is shown in FIG. 67B, a top view of the single cup adapter 118 isshown in FIG. 67C, and a cross-sectional view of the single cup adapter118 taken along line 68-68 of FIG. 67A is shown in FIG. 68. The singlecup adapter 118 includes a base portion 118 a which includes a singlecup platform 129 for supporting the coffee cup 116 and a drip basin (ortray) 124 for catching and holding drops from the spout/drip valve 104.A grill 126 resides over the drip basin 124 and the coffee cup 116 restson the grill 126. An arm portion 118 b reaches up and an angled surface128 at the top of the arm portion 118 b cooperates with the valve lever106 to open the spout/drip valve 104 when the single cup adapter 118 ispositioned in the coffee maker 100. In another embodiment, the drip traymay be integrated into the coffee maker 100 and may pivot or slide intoposition under the coffee cup 116, for example, the single cup adapter118 may have an open side or rear that the drip tray slides or pivotsinto.

A downward protrusion 122 on the bottom of the base portion 118 a fitsinto a recess in the platform 24 to correctly position the single cupadapter 118 in the mouth 114 of the coffee maker 100, and to resist easydetachment of the single cup adapter 118 from the coffee maker 100. Arearward reaching finger 120 enters the passage 110 to actuate theswitch 112 (see FIG. 64) to turn off the hot plate when the single cupadapter 118 is attached to the coffee maker 100. The finger 120 andswitch 112 are one example of a means for turning off the hot plate 108when the single cup adapter 118 is attached to the coffee maker 100.Other means include a magnet switch detecting the presence of the hotplate 108 in the single cup adapter 118 by the proximity of a magnet andpiece of magnetically attractive metal or a second magnet, a switch inthe platform, or even a manual switch, and a coffee maker according tothe present invention with any switch for turning off the hot plate isintended to come within the scope of the present invention.

A side view of a second single cup adapter 118′ according to the presentinvention is shown in FIG. 67D. The single cup adapter 118′ is a compactversion of the single cup adapter 118 and does not include the armportion 118 b. The single cup adapter 118′ provide single servingfunctions through the insertion of the rearward reaching finger 120 intothe coffee maker 100. These functions include shutting off the hot plate108 (see FIG. 64), opens the open the spout/drip valve 104 to releasebrewed beverage, setting the coffee maker 100 to the single serving mode(limits the beverage to one to sixteen ounces).

A side view of a multi-serving dry coffee holder 130 a according to thepresent invention for use in the multi-mode coffee maker 100 for makingseveral cups of brewed coffee is shown in FIG. 69A and a side view of asingle-serving dry coffee holder 130 b according to the presentinvention for use in the multi-mode coffee maker 100 for making one cupof coffee is shown in FIG. 69B. A variety of dry coffee holders 30 a-30o and means for containing and tamping dry coffee in a coffee maker aredisclosed in FIGS. 3 though 63B, and a multi-mode coffee maker 100including any of the coffee holders disclosed herein, or any othercoffee holder, is intended to come within the scope of the presentinvention.

A coffee maker 210 and reuseable cartridge 230 according to the presentinvention are shown in FIG. 70, a side view of the reuseable cartridge230, is shown in FIG. 71B, a top view of the reuseable cartridge 230 isshown in FIG. 71B, and a crosssectional view of the reuseable cartridgeaccording to the present invention taken along line 72-72 of FIG. 71B.The reuseable cartridge 230 comprises a cover 230 a and a base 230 b.The cover 230 a is removeable from the base 230 b to fill the reuseablecartridge 230 with brewing material 41. Generally, the reuseablecartridge 230 is filled by pouring loose coffee 41 into the base 230 b.Once filled with the brewing material 41, the reuseable cartridge 230 isinserted into the cavity 211 of the coffee maker 210 and the lid 214 isclosed. The lid 214 of the coffee maker 210 generally includes aprojections 214 a which engages recesses 236 a of the cover 236 to urgethe reuseable cartridge 230 into position in the cavity 211. A flow ofwater 232 (generally a flow of heated water) enters the reuseablecartridge 230, passes through the brewing material 41, and a flow ofbrewed beverage 234 exits the reuseable cartridge 230. An identificationfeature 7 resides on a bottom surface providing the benefits describedin FIGS. 62A-62E above. Such identification feature 76 may be attachedother positions on the exterior of the reuseable cartridge 230.

A side view of a cover 230 a of the reuseable cartridge 230 is shown inFIG. 73A, a top view of the cover 230 a of the reuseable cartridge 230is shown in FIG. 73B, and a cross-sectional view of the cover 230 a ofthe reuseable cartridge 230 taken along line 74-74 of FIG. 73B. Thecover includes recesses 236 a and 236 b.

A side view of a base 230 b of the reuseable cartridge 230 is shown inFIG. 75A, a top view of the base 230 b is shown in FIG. 75B, and across-sectional view of the base 230 b taken along line 76-76 of FIG.75B is shown in FIG. 76. The base 230 b includes entry port 238 a forthe flow of water 232, and exit port 238 b for the flow of brewedbeverage 234. The flow of water 232 enters the base 230 a and much climbover the wall 240 to reach the interior of the 244 of the base 230 b.Forcing the flow of water 232 over the wall 240 causes the flow of water232 to pass through the brewing material 41, thereby producing a richbrewed beverage. A filter 242 resides over the exit port 238 b toprevent the brewing material 41 from escaping into a cup of brewedbeverage.

A side view of a brewed beverage pod 250 for use in the reuseablecartridge 230 according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 77Aand a top view of the brewed beverage pod 250 is shown in FIG. 77B. Thebrewed beverage pod 250 is shaped to conform reasonably well to theinterior of the 244 of the base 230 b and includes a passage 250 a forthe recess 236 a in the cover 230 a.

A side view of a filter paper 252 for use in the reuseable cartridge 230according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 78A and a top viewof the filter paper 252 is shown in FIG. 78B. The filter paper 252 isshaped to conform reasonably well to the interior of the 244 of the base230 b and includes a passage 252 a for the recess 236 a in the cover 230a. The filter paper 252 includes a filter cover 252′. After insertingthe filter paper 252 into the base 230 b and filling the filter paper252 with brewing material 41, the filter cover 252′ is folded over thebrewing material 41 and the cover 230 a is pressed onto the base 230 b.A rim 253 of the filter paper 252, and matching rim 253′ of the filtercover 252′ may be sandwiched between the cover 230 a and base 230 b tosecurely hold the filter cover 252′ on the filter paper 252 to retainthe brewing material 41 in the filter paper 252.

A side view of the filter paper cup 40 with the folding paper lid 40 dopen is shown in FIG. 79A, a top view of the filter paper cup 40 isshown in FIG. 79B, a second side view of the filter paper cup 40 withthe folding paper lid 40 d closed is shown in FIG. 7C, and across-sectional view of the filter paper cup 40 taken along line 80-80of FIG. 79B is shown in FIG. 80. The lid 40 d of the filter paper cup 40may be folded over the cup 40 and sealed after loose brewing material 41is poured into the cup. The filter paper cup 40 includes a receptacle 40g formed from a bottom 40 b, sides 40 a, and a rim (or annular rim) 40c, and a cover (or lid) 40 d for closing the receptacle 40 g to capturebrewing material in the filter paper cup 40. The filter paper cup 40 isformed using heat and/or moisture to form permanent folds (or pleats) 40f in the sides 40 a and rim 40 c of the filter paper cup 40 to addstrength and rigidity to the filter paper cup 40 so that the filterpaper cup 40 retains its shape after forming, and preferably, adhesiveis applied to the rim 40 c and/or the sides 40 a to retain the pleatsand add strength and rigidity to the filter paper cup 40. Preferably,the filter paper cup 40 is constructed from heat sealable filter paperhaving a heat reacting film on at least one side, which film causes thepleats to adhere to adjacent pleats when heat is applied followingforming. The pleats in the rim 40 c are generally continuations of thepleats in the sides 40 a. The filter paper cup 40 may alternatively becorrugated to retain shape. The filter paper cup 40 thus has structurefor maintaining a substantially (i.e., within the ability of the paperto maintain a shape) frustoconical or cylindrical shape unlike knowncoffee pods with have no structure for maintaining shape and arepillow-like. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/392,893 filed Mar. 28,2006 filed by the present inventor, discloses a similar filter paper cupforming a coffee pod. The '893 application is incorporated by referenceabove.

The filter paper cup 40 is preferable frusto-conical shaped orcylindrically shaped and more preferably frusto-conical shaped. Thefilter paper cup 40 has a base diameter D1, an inner top diameter D2, anouter top diameter (the diameter of the rim) D3, and a height H. Thediameter D1 is preferably approximately 1.25 inches, the diameter D2 ispreferably approximately 1.625 inches, the diameter D3 is preferablyapproximately 2.125 inches, and the height H is preferably approximatelyone inch. The rim 40 c is thus approximately 0.25 inches wide. The lid40 d has approximately the same diameter D3 as the rim 40 c.

The filter paper cup 40 may be sold in an empty state for filling by auser, or as a pre-packaged single serving coffee pod. When sold forfilling by the user, the filter paper cup 40 is preferably sold with thecover 40 d attached to the rim 40 c of the receptacle 40 g. For example,the filter paper cup 40 may be made from a single piece of filter papercut into two circular portions attached by a hinge 40 h, or by twoseparately cut pieces of filter paper attached at the hinge 40 h. Thefilter paper cup 40 may be sold as two pieces, where the cover 40 d isdetached from the receptacle 40 g, but may be more difficult to use. Auser may seal the cover 40 d to the rim 40 c of the receptacle 40 g asdisclosed in the '893 patent, or the cover 40 d may be held to thereceptacle 40 g by sandwiching the filter paper cup 40 between a holderlid 32 a and holder body 31. When the filter paper cup 40 is sold as aready to use pod containing brewing material, the pod is generallymanufactured using filter paper off two separate rolls as describedbelow.

A cross-sectional side view of a pod holder 30 r showing the pod holder30 r with the tamping spring 36 and bottom tamper 34, the filter papercup 40 containing a portion of coffee 41, and the holder lid 32 a readyto attach to a holder body 31 a is shown in FIG. 81A, and across-sectional side view of the pod holder 30 r the coffee holder withthe tamping spring and bottom tamper, the portion of coffee in thefilter paper cup, and the holder lid attached to the holder body withthe rim of the filter paper cup sandwiched between the lid and coffeeholder and the tamping spring and bottom tamper pushing the filter papercup against the lid according to the present invention is shown in FIG.81B. The rim 40 c rests on a top edge of the holder body 31 and issandwiched between the holder lid 32 a and body 31 a when the lid 32 ais attached to the body 31 a, thereby holding the filter paper cup 40against the holder lid 32 a so that a needle inserted through the holderlid 32 a will puncture the folding paper lid 40 d and inject hot waterinto the filter paper cup 40. The brewing material 41 is preferablyretained in the filter paper cup 40 solely by attaching a lid 32 a ofthe pod holder 30 r to the base 31 a of the pod holder to sandwich therim 40 c of the filter paper cup 40 and the outer edge of the cover 40 dbetween the lid of the pod holder to the base of the pod holder. U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/777,831, filed Jul. 13, 2007, describes asimilar pod holder. The '831 application is incorporated by referenceabove.

The inside diameter D4 of the mouth of the pod holder 30 r isapproximately the same size as the Diameter D2 of the filter paper cup40 and is preferably approximately 1.625 inches, thereby facilitatingthe capture and sandwiching of the rim 40 c and edge of the cover 40 dbetween the holder lid 32 a and body 31 a. Sandwiching of the rim 40 cand edge of the cover 40 d between the holder lid 32 a and body 31 aboth seals the brewing material in the filter paper cup 40 to prevent orrestrict the escape of the brewing material from the filter paper cup 40during brewing and provides a taut cover 40 d facilitating puncturingthe cover 40 d by a needle used to inject heated water into the filterpaper cup 40 during brewing. The body 31 a may have a cylindrical orfrusto-conical shape.

Another embodiment of the coffee holder 30 s is shown in FIG. 82. Thecoffee holder 30 a is similar to the coffee holder 30 s but omits thetamping spring 36 and bottom tamper 34.

A side view of the filter paper cup 40″ with a separate receptacle 40 g″and paper lid 40 d″ is shown in FIG. 83A, a top view of the filter papercup 40″ with the separate receptacle 40 g″ and paper lid 40 d″ is shownin FIG. 83B, and a second side view of the filter paper cup 40″ with theseparate paper lid 40 d″ residing on the receptacle 40 g″ is shown inFIG. 83C. The filter paper cup 40″ includes the features of the filterpaper cup 40, except the lid 40 d″ is not hingedly attached to thereceptacle 40 g″ and is a separate piece. Further, the receptacle 40 g″may be used without the lid 40 d″.

A top and side view of a coffee holder 30 t is shown in FIG. 84A, abottom and side view of the coffee holder 30 t is shown in FIG. 84B, atop and side view of body 31 d of the coffee holder 30 t with a lid 32 hremoved is shown in FIG. 85, and a cross-sectional view of the coffeeholder 30 t of FIG. 84A with the lid 32 h removed, taken along line86-86 of FIG. 85, is shown in FIG. 86. The base 31 d includes betweenthree and six side windows 300 and between three and six bottom windows302, and preferably four side windows 300 and bottom windows 302. Thewindows 300 and 302 allow unrestricted flow from a filter materialreceptacle 40 g″ (see FIG. 83C) residing inside the base 31 d, and allowportions of the filter material receptacle 40 g″ to expand into andthrough the windows 300 and 302.

A top view of a lid 32 h of the coffee holder 30 t is shown in FIG. 87Aand a bottom view of a lid of the coffee holder 30 t is shown in FIG.87B. The lid 32 h includes a round skirt 304 which cooperates with anannular interior surface 306 of the base 31 d to sandwich the filtermaterial receptacle 40 g″, retaining the filter material receptacle 40g″ in the base 31 d.

A first side view of the coffee holder 30 t is shown in FIG. 88A, asecond side view of the coffee holder 30 t of FIG. 84A rotated 45degrees, is shown in FIG. 88B, a top view of the coffee holder 30 t isshown in FIG. 88C, and a bottom side view of the coffee holder 30 t isshown in FIG. 88D. Additionally, a top view of the coffee holder 30 twith the lid 32 h removed is shown in FIG. 89A and a bottom view of thecoffee holder 30 t with the lid 32 h removed is shown in FIG. 89B. Thebase 31 d has a height Hb of about 1.45 inches and base bottom diameterDb of about 1.35 inches. The wall windows 300 have a height Hw ofbetween 0.5 inches and one inch, and preferably about 0.72 inchesmeasured to a peak of an arched opening and a window width Ww of between0.3 inches and 0.7 inches, and preferable about 0.45 inches. In general,the wall windows 300 reach about one half the base height Hb, andbetween 30 and 60 percent and preferably about 41 percent of the basecircumference. The bottom windows 302 have a combined area of between 40and 70 percent of the area of a bottom 308 of the base 31 d, andpreferably about 60 percent of the area of the bottom 308 of the base 31d.

A preferred method for manufacturing the filter paper cups includes thefollowing steps. Providing filter paper to a machine. Forming areceptacle in the filter paper. Using heat and/or steam make the filterpaper retain the receptacle shape. Cutting out the receptacle and thelid. The following additional steps may be used to manufacture a podaccording to the present invention. Filling the receptacle with brewingmaterial. Tamping the brewing material in the receptacle. Positioningthe lid over the receptacle. Attaching the lid to the receptacle.Nitrogen flushing and sealing the pod. Either the filter paper cups orthe completed pods may be manufactured in a printing press or anassembly line style.

While the present invention is described above as placing loose coffeein a coffee holder, the invention may also be practiced by placingprepackaged coffee, for example coffee pods, into the coffee holder.Further, while the coffee holder is generally described as having a snapon lid, a screw on lid may also be used, and in general the variouselements of different embodiments described above may be mixed toprovide new embodiments and such new embodiments are intended to comewithin the scope of the present invention.

Further, many embodiments are described as including a coffee chambercomprising a filter paper cup. In many cases, a filter cup made of nylonmesh or metal mesh is equally suitable, and any coffee holder orcombination of coffee maker and coffee holder including a filter chamberwhich holds coffee and allows the coffee to be tamped as described aboveis intended to come within the scope of the present invention regardlessof the specific filter material. Further, those skilled in the art willrecognize that the features of the various embodiments of the presentinvention disclosed herein may be combined to provide variouscombinations. All of such combinations are intended to come with thescope of the present invention.

While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means ofspecific embodiments and applications thereof, numerous modificationsand variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention set forth in the claims.

I claim:
 1. A container, comprising: a receptacle; a cover; a tampingspring; and a tamper arranged at a first end of the tamping spring,wherein the tamping spring is configured to bias the tamper such thatthe tamper directly supports a filter; wherein the receptacle includes:a base, having an interior surface and a passageway in an interior areaof the base, the passageway providing fluid communication from aninterior of the receptacle to an exterior of the receptacle, and asidewall extending upward from the interior surface of the base, whereinthe cover is configured to sealingly engage with a top edge of thesidewall, wherein the cover includes a cover opening; wherein thecontainer is configured to accept input fluid through the cover openingand to provide a corresponding outflow of fluid through the passageway;wherein the passageway allows the outflow fluid to flow from thecontainer while accommodating an outflow needle of a beverage brewer;and wherein the tamping spring is configured to be arranged with asecond end against the interior surface of the base such that the tamperis biased upward from the interior surface of the base.
 2. The containerof claim 1, further comprising the filter that is configured to be heldwithin the receptacle.
 3. The container of claim 1, wherein thecontainer is constructed of a material that is reusable after being wet.4. The container of claim 1, wherein the passageway is at leastpartially covered by a screen material.
 5. The container of claim 1,wherein the tamping spring is configured to be arranged with the secondend disposed around the passageway.
 6. The container of claim 1, furthercomprising the filter, which is configured to be held within thereceptacle.
 7. The container of claim 2, wherein the filter includes arim configured to be arranged over the top edge of the sidewall.
 8. Thecontainer of claim 7, wherein the filter rim is further configured to beheld between the top edge of the sidewall and the cover when the coveris engaged with the top edge of the sidewall.
 9. The container of claim1, wherein the sidewall is tapered.
 10. A beverage brewing container,comprising: a receptacle, a cover; a tamping spring; and a tamperarranged at a first end of the tamping spring, wherein the tampingspring is configured to bias the tamper such that the tamper directlysupports a filter; wherein the receptacle includes: a passagewayproviding fluid communication between an interior of the receptacle andan exterior of the receptacle, a base, having an interior surface and anexterior surface and configured to avoid contact with an outflow needleof a beverage brewer, and a sidewall extending upward from the interiorsurface of the base and configured to avoid contact with the outflowneedle; wherein the cover is configured to sealingly engage with a topedge of the sidewall, wherein the cover includes a cover opening,wherein the container is configured to accept input fluid through thecover opening and to provide a corresponding outflow of fluid throughthe passageway while the passageway accommodates the outflow needle; andwherein the tamping spring is configured to be arranged with a secondend against the interior surface of the base such that the tamper isbiased upward from the interior surface of the base.
 11. The containerof claim 10, further comprising a filter that is configured to be heldwithin the receptacle.
 12. The container of claim 10, wherein thecontainer is constructed of a material that is reusable after being wet.13. The container of claim 10, wherein the passageway has anunobstructed configuration.
 14. The container of claim 10, wherein thepassageway is at least partially covered by a screen material.
 15. Thecontainer of claim 10, wherein the tamping spring is configured to bearranged with the second end disposed around the passageway.
 16. Thecontainer of claim 10, further comprising the filter that is configuredto be held within the receptacle; wherein the tamper is configured tosupport the filter.
 17. The container of claim 16, wherein the filterincludes a rim configured to be arranged over the top edge of thesidewall.
 18. The container of claim 17, wherein the filter rim isfurther configured to be held between the top edge of the sidewall andthe cover when the cover is engaged with the top edge of the sidewall.19. The container of claim 10, wherein the sidewall is tapered.